How to Tie the Ribbon on a Wedding Bouquet

The ribbon that showers down at the bottom of a wedding bouquet gives a finished, elegant look to the entire piece. Generally ribbon is tied in varying lengths and loops that cascade down. The ribbon may be tied in a simple shoelace-type bow or have no bow at all. You can double the ribbon when making a tiny bouquet for the bride to toss at her wedding reception.

Things You'll Need

• Several yards of ribbon, lace or netting scissors

Instructions

1. 

   Locate the area on the bouquet holder where the handle meets the flower holder.

2. Notice the dip or crevasse in the top of the handle. Your ribbon must be tied here. It keeps the ribbon from slipping down the handle.

3. Cut a piece of ribbon 20 to 30 inches long. Tie a simple knot in the center.

4. Pull ribbon off of the spool and pinch lengths between your thumb and forefinger. Hold ribbon out in front of you and eyeball the length as you make two or three loops of 10- to 30-inch varying lengths.

5. Run the 20-inch piece of ribbon against the 'crevasse' on the bouquet holder. Hold with your thumb and use your other hand to encircle the handle with the two ends of the 20-inch length. Tie these ends very securely and double knot. Hold the bouquet in front of a mirror to check how the ribbon mass looks. Cut one or all of the loops at a slant to add to the cascade of ribbon.

6. 

   Cut a 20-inch piece of ribbon, lace or netting for a simple, single-stem wedding bouquet. Set aside.
   Hold a long length of ribbon in one hand. Pinch the ribbon about 10 inches from the end. Make a loop.Twist the ribbon and form a loop opposite the first loop. Make two more loops.

7. Place the 20-inch piece of ribbon over the center of the four loop bow. Let the two ends drape over and fall toward the back of the bow.

8. Turn the bow upside down and tie the ends of the 20-inch ribbon to secure the bow. Double knot to tie firmly. Cut the ends of the main bow ribbon to a desired length. You will have four pieces of ribbon hanging down the length of the bouquet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can mix ribbon, lace and netting or use ribbon only on your wedding bouquets. You can add a small bow or a few loops of ribbon to the interior of the bouquet on wired sticks.

• Be sure the ribbon is knotted tightly at the handle and bouquet holder connection. If not secure it can fall down the handle and create problems for the person carrying the bouquet.